Geysers land three in hot water with law

A former municipal manager and chief financial officer at the Karoo Hoogland Municipality in the Northern Cape, and a bogus company owner have been sentenced for corruption by the Williston Regional Court – all because of 600 solar geysers.

Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase said Louis Nothnagel, 55, the former Hoogland municipal manager and Marius Botha, 58, a former COO at the municipality were sentenced, along with Ockert Tobias Cloete, 65.

“Botha and Cloete, a bogus company owner, were each sentenced to five years imprisonment for corruption, four years for money laundering and two years for four counts of fraud,” Nkwalase said.

“Cloete was given an additional eight years imprisonment for a separate fraud charge. All these will run concurrently. Botha will effectively serve five years, while Cloete will serve eight years.”

Nothnagel was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, with an alternative R5 000 fine for contravention of section 173 (1) of Municipal Finance Management Act no 53 of 2003, which translates to negligence or failure to prevent corruption.

The acting national head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Yoliswa Matakata, welcomed the sentences, “This will serve as a deterrent to all acts of corruption, particularly in the public service sector. Those that witness corruption have an obligation to report it, failure to do so will result in one being prosecuted.”

Earlier this week, following an application by the Assets Forfeiture Unit, the court ordered Botha to repay R100 000, and Cloete R50 000 as recovery of the proceeds of crime.

An investigation by the Hawks had revealed the prescribed procurement processes were not followed in appointing the service provider.

“Consequently, Cloete’s bogus company received undue payments for the delivery and installation of 600 solar geysers to the community in Williston,” Matakata said. – ANA